Improved apparatus for purifying iron



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Letters Patent No. 97 ,844, dated December 14, 1869.

` IMPROVEDAPPARA'z-Us rdn PURIFYING IRON.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

Toall'whma it 'may concern.-

Beit known that I, SAMUEL M. WIcKERsHAM, ofthe city of Allegheny, in the county of Alleghen y, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful l the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and in which` Figure l represents, in perspective, a portion of the run or gutter in question. and w Figures2` and 3 represent vertical cross-sections through the same, `to show the `interior thereof. Similar letters of reference, where they occur in the 'separate figures-denote like parts of the gutter-or run I am aware that a gutter or channel, having a hollow bottom,` into which'atmospheric air is driven, and Vthence passes through openings into the molten metal passing through it, hasV been used, the jets of air being let in, in a direction corresponding with that of the flow of metal, or against the ow. To such a gutter or channel, and to such introduction of jets of air, namely, with or against the flow of .molten metal, I lay no claim. lHaving .practically tested it, Iliind it inoperative for the purpose. My inventionl consists in a channel, glitter', or run, made with hollow sides and bottom, for making more air-space, and heating-surface, with air-openings ex-V tending therefrom to the surfaceof' the gutter or run, ,in a direction across the ow of the molten' metal, by l which means I can and do mix atmospheric air with, the particles-of iron, while by theother heretofore- 'admitted plan of admitting the air, it owed with the molten mass, but did not thoroughly'mix with its particles. l

To` enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings.

A represents `a channel, gutter, or run, by prefer ence made of cast-iron, and the bottom a and sides b i b oi' which'are hollow.

l Into the enclosed space' c, between the bottom and sides of this gutter or run, is introduced, through the tube or pipe, B, atmospheric air, either heated or cold, and the gutter, or that portion of .it against which the melted metal iiows, is lined with fire-clay, c, or other fire-resisting material. u v

From the enclosed air-chamber, within the sides and bottom of the gutter or run, a series. of openings or air-passages, e c, 86e.,- is made, so that the jets of air passing through them` shall be directed across the iow of the molten metal, and not with oragainst its flow.

I have ascertained, by practice, that if the jets of air flow in, in the direction in which the molten metal 'tiows through the gutter, it will not mix with, though it will be carried along with the metal. f

So, too, if it be admit-ted against the ow of the metal, it will enter in a body but a short distance in the metal, and without being disseminated through it,

will simply be deiiected from its course, turned, and

Ain column flow along with, without'being mixed in among the particles of molten metal. But, by-forcing in the air in jets across the current or iiow of metal, it is broken up, disseminated, and brought in contact with .all ot' the particles of molten iron, and much purify and improve its quality. s

v This gutter, channel, or run, is placed so as to convey the metal from the tap-hole'oil a blast-furnace or cupola to the moulds or pig-bed, and may be connected with the hot or`cold 'blast of the furnace or cupola, so as to receive its supply of air'and introduction into the flowing mass of molten metal passing through it.

A stop-cock may he put in the pipe B, to regulate the admission of air to the gutterand themetal iiowiug therethrough. i t, Having thus fully described my invention,

`W hat I claimtherein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A gutter or run, having both bottom and sides hollow, lined with fire-clay, and furnished Awith a series of holes inclined in` a direction across that in which the metal flows, as and for the purpose herein described and represented. u

SAMUEL M. WIGKERSHAM.

Witnesses:

ARGHIE OUMMLNs, ALGERNON S. BELL.l 

